To Lube or Not to Lube

[JP1954]

I want to start reloading. I'm looking at the Lee Turret Press. It looks like a good compromise between the basic press and the progressive. On another note, A friend is wanting to sell reloading dies. They are RCBS and I verified that the threads will fit the Lee. My hesitation is that I saw that Lee advertises carbon dies that don't require lube. I am guessing that the RCBS will require lube. Any suggestions from you experienced reloaders?

 

[Sunray]

Carbide dies shouldn't need lubing, regular dies requires lubing the cases. Who made them doesn't matter. It's only the sizer die in either, um, case.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I think you mean carbide dies? Those are normally used for straight walled cartridges, especially pistol rounds. And no, you do not need to lube with those carbide dies. For all regular steel dies, lube or you will be very sorry when the case sticks in the die and the head rips off. :banghead:Carefully read all the instructions that come with your dies. It avoids all the expletives later.

 

[ranger335v]

Lee's steel die that doesn't require case lube is limited to ONLY ONE TYPE; that's their collet neck sizers for bottle-neck cases. Don't let that single point of info make you think it applies to all of their steel dies.

Straight walled dies for pistol/revolver cases MAY have a carbide sizing ring that do not require lube but that provision applies to carbide dies from all makers. And even carbide dies benefit from a little bit of case lube from time to time!

 

[RustyFN]

You don't have to lube straight wall pistol brass with carbide dies. RCBS as well as the other manufactures also make carbide dies. Check with your friend to see if they are carbide. If not then you would have to lube the cases. The down side to that is after you size them then the lube has to be cleaned off. Most people do that in the tumbler. I clean my 223 cases after I size them and before I load them. The Lee turret press is a great intermediate press. I own the Classic Turret and it has worked problem free for me. I would suggest the Classic over the Deluxe if you go with the turret. The Classic is well worth the extra money. Check out http://kempfgunshop.com/ for the best deal. Most people with the Classic can load around 200 per hour. Get a good reloading manual or two and read them. Also go to the Lee web site and you can watch videos of the Classic in action.
Rusty

 

[SASS#23149]

even tho carbide dies don't require lubing,a spritz of One Shot lube will make a bleiver out of you..the press seems to run itslelf compared to not lubing.
spritz lightly and u won't have to wip it off most times.

what calibers will you be reloading?

 

[trueblue1776]

I'm sold on Lee carbide dies, will NEVER return to lubing!

Brass fresh from the tumbler runs smoother for me, but completely dry still works well.

 

[ilbob]

You absolutely MUST lube the cases before sizing if:

- you are sizing a bottle necked case
- you are using regular steel dies

You will appreicate lube even in carbide dies that don't "need" it. It is a lot less work. Don't need a lot. Maybe every 10th case or so.